Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health
fire fighters were shocked while trying to help the fire fighter who was still energized. All three were removed from the energized area, and basic first aid procedures were administered until the ambulance arrived. One of the injured was transported by helicopter to an area hospital, and another was transported by ambulance to the local hospital and later to the burn unit of an area hospital. The third fire fighter was pronounced dead on arrival at a local hospital.
Case 2
On October 4, 1999, a 20-year-old male volunteer fire fighter was electrocuted and two other fire fighters were injured when they contacted an energized electric fence while fighting a grass fire [NIOSH 1999b]. Central Dispatch notified the fire department of a fire that was started when a downed power line ignited the surrounding grass. The Chief arrived first, followed by Engine 1 and two fire fighters. The Chief indicated to Central Dispatch and to the responding fire fighters that the electric fence bordering the area was energized by the downed power line. The driver of Engine 1 and the three fire fighters crawled underneath the bottom wire of the electric fence. They positioned themselves approximately 50 feet from the downed power line and attacked the primary fire. After the fire was extinguished, the three fire fighters crawled under the fence a second time. The two surviving fire fighters do not remember the injury event. However, it is believed that when one of the survivors was crawling on her back under the electric fence, a hook from her bunker coat might have contacted the bottom wire of the fence. It is believed that the other two
Ensure that protective shields, barriers, or alerting techniques are used to protect fire fighters from electrical hazards and energized areas. For example, rope off the energized area. Train fire fighters in safety-related work practices when working around electrical energy. For example, treat all downed power lines as energized and make fire fighters aware of hazards related to ground gradients. Ensure that fire fighters are equipped with the proper personal protective equipment (Nomex clothing compliant with NFPA standard 1500 [NFPA 1997], leather boots, leather gloves, etc.) and that it is maintained in good condition. Ensure that rubber gloves and dielectric overshoes and tools (insulated sticks and cable cutters) for handling energized equipment are used by properly trained and qualified personnel. Fire fighters should do the following: Assume all power lines are energized and call the power provider to de-energize the line(s). Wear appropriate personal protective equipment for the task at handNomex clothing compliant with NFPA standard 1500, rubber gloves, and dielectric overshoes and tools (insulated sticks and cable cutters). Do not stand or work in areas of dense smoke. Dense smoke can obscure energized electrical lines or equipment and can become charged and conduct electrical current.
Fire Protection Association; Heather Schafer, National Volunteer Fire Council; Michael Korns, Allegheny Power.
REFERENCES
Brunacini AV [1985]. Fire command. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association. CFR. Code of Federal regulations. Washington, DC: U.S. Government Printing Office, Office of the Federal Register. IFSTA (International Fire Service Training Association) [1998a]. Essentials of fire fighting. 4th ed. Stillwater, OK: Oklahoma State University, Fire Protection Publications. IFSTA (International Fire Service Training Association) [1998b]. Fundamentals of wildland fire fighting. 3rd ed. Stillwater, OK: Oklahoma State University, Fire Protection Publications. NFPA [1997]. NFPA 1500, standard on fire department occupational safety and health program. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association. NFPA [2001]. Fire fighter fatalities data base, 1980 to 1999: Electrical hazards during wildfire suppression activities, 19801999. Quincy, MA: National Fire Protection Association. NIOSH [1999a]. Volunteer fire fighter is electrocuted while fighting a grass fireCalifornia. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 99F26. NIOSH [1999b]. Downed power line claims the life of one volunteer fire fighter and critically injures two fellow fire fightersMissouri. Cincinnati, OH: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, DHHS (NIOSH) Publication No. 99F37. NWCG (National Wildfire Coordinating Group) [1998]. NWCG fireline handbook 3. Boise, ID: National Wildfire Coordinating Group.
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
The principal contributors to this publication were Kimberly L. Cortez and Thomas P. Mezzanotte, NIOSH. External reviews were provided by Dick Mangan, U.S. Forest Service; Rita Fahy, National
Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health 4676 Columbia Parkway Cincinnati, OH 452261998